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The Computing Innovation Fellows (CIFellows) Project was intended to be a short-term initiative to respond to employment issues in the field resulting from the economic downturn.

Currently we do not expect to offer new CIFellows positions in the future.

The information below is from the call for applications issued for Fall 2011.

UPDATED MAY 4, 2011 – Today, the Computing Community Consortium (CCC), a standing committee of the Computing Research Association (CRA), is pleased to announce a call for 2011-12 Computing Innovation Fellows (CIFellows). The CIFellows Project, established in 2009 with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation, offers recent Ph.D. graduates in computer science, computer engineering, information science, or a closely related field an exciting opportunity to obtain one- to two-year positions at universities, industrial research laboratories, and other organizations that are pursuing innovation in computing and its positive impact on society. We encourage all recent and graduating Ph.D.s to apply by the deadline of May 31, 2011.

2011 Class of Computing Innovation Fellows
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2010 Class of Computing Innovation Fellows
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The 2010 CIFellows Research Meeting & Career Mentoring Workshop
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2009 Class of Computing Innovation Fellows
Read the Press Release

Program Details

The goals of the CIFellows Project are to retain new Ph.D. scholars in research and teaching during challenging economic times, while also supporting intellectual renewal and diversity in the computing fields at U.S. organizations. A total of 107 Ph.D.s have been supported through the program since 2009 (see the box at right for more details).

These CIFellows have received outstanding research and teaching enrichment experiences, and several have landed permanent positions (including tenure-track faculty appointments) in academia and industry as a result of their experiences.

CRA/CCC will make awards for the 2011-12 academic year. The exact number of awards is contingent upon the quality of applications received as well as the outcome of a proposal for funding that we have submitted.

Application Details

Graduates awarded the Ph.D. or equivalent from U.S. institutions between May 1, 2010, and Aug. 31, 2011, have until 5 p.m. EDT on May 31, 2011, to apply to be a 2011-12 CIFellow. Applications must be submitted online (through this website).

For complete details, please see below. If you have questions, please e-mail contact@cifellows.org.

Project Description

Following up on highly successful classes in 2009-10 and 2010-11, the CRA/CCC will issue grants for the 2011-12 academic year to recent Ph.D. graduates in computer science, computer engineering, information science, and/or closely allied fields. The exact number of awardees (henceforth "CIFellows") is contingent upon the quality of the applications received as well as the outcome of a proposal for funding that we have submitted.

As in previous years, the CIFellows Project seeks to involve many organizations and sub-disciplines in order to encourage cross-flow and broad participation. In particular, it is anticipated that no more than two CIFellowships will be awarded to graduates of the same institution in 2011 and that no organization will host more than two CIFellows. It is expected that the project will involve at least 30 different organizations.

Each CIFellow must have a committed mentor at a host organization, identified as part of the application process. CIFellows may engage in research, teaching, and/or other activities, such as public policy work, that contribute to the advancement and vitality of computer science and allied disciplines.

Eligibility

A CIFellow must have completed (or be prepared to complete) all requirements for graduation from a U.S. Ph.D. program between May 1, 2010, and August 31, 2011. The Ph.D. must be in computer science, computer engineering, information science, or a closely related field. Preference will be given to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, but others will be considered.

Award Size and Duration

We anticipate that awards will be for $75,000 salary for 12 months with approximately $25,000 for fringe benefits and a $15,000 allowance for moving, travel, and discretionary expenses. Host organizations will receive indirect costs at the 25% rate. The 12-month assignment must begin by November 1, 2011.

CIFellows Website

The CIFellows website can be found at http://cifellows.org. This website contains a number of resources including a FAQ, application materials and submission instructions, information for mentors, and an area for prospective mentors to indicate their interests.

Proposal Content and Format

A complete application comprises the following materials submitted by May 31, 2011, 5 p.m. EDT (note: please submit your application in advance of this deadline; out of fairness for all applicants, there will be no exceptions granted for applications posted after 5pm EDT):

  • A one page statement of research accomplishments;
  • A two-page statement of goals for scholarly activity, teaching, and/or other proposed activities including a statement of the intellectual merits and broader impacts of the proposed work;
  • A curriculum vitae;
  • Two confidential letters of reference submitted separately (i.e., directly) by the recommenders following the instructions on the website (note that one of these letters will normally be from the applicant’s Ph.D. advisor);
  • A letter from the applicant's Ph.D. advisor or department chair stating that the applicant will have completed all work toward a Ph.D. degree by August 31, 2011; and
  • A list of one to three proposed mentors who must be from U.S. institutions different from the applicant's graduate institution (note that the goals of the CIFellows project favor selecting mentors at a broad range of institutions), listed in the preferred order.

The applicants must also, for each proposed mentor, compile and submit as part of the above application the following:

  • A one-page document from the applicant indicating the sub-discipline of the proposed work with the mentor (see a list of sub-disciplines here), the rationale for the choice of mentor and the expected benefits of working with the mentor, as well as the relationship of the activity to the applicant’s career goals; and
  • A one-page document from the proposed mentor indicating a commitment to work with the prospective CIFellow, a mentoring plan, and a summary of the mentor's prior record of mentoring (see "Information for Prospective Mentors and Host Organizations" below). Note: Endorsements from proposed mentors must be submitted by the prospective CIFellow as part of his/her application materials; refer to the application forms.

Identifying Mentors and Mentees

The CIFellows website provides a facility to help applicants identify mentors and to allow prospective mentors to express interest in mentoring a CIFellow: http://match.cifellows.org/. Postings are organized by sub-disciplinary categories and mentors may place short postings on this site under one or more of these categories. Mentors are encouraged to include their mentoring credentials and planned mentoring activities on this site along with contact information to allow prospective CIFellows to contact them. Applicants are not required to choose mentors from this website.

Information for Prospective Mentors and Host Institutions

Once a prospective mentor has agreed to support an applicant’s candidacy, the mentor must provide the applicant with a one-page letter of support including the mentoring plan. In addition, the mentor must indicate that the mentor and the host organization are committed to hosting the CIFellow. This document comprises part of the candidate’s application materials (See “Proposal Content and Format” above)—and must be submitted by the prospective CIFellow.

Evaluation of Proposals

Proposals will be evaluated by a broadly representative committee from industry and academia. Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • The applicant’s record of research and other accomplishments as they relate to the proposed work
  • The strength of the proposed activity with respect to intellectual merit and broader impact
  • The quality and suitability of the mentoring plan for the CIFellow’s future work
  • Contribution to the project objectives of enhancing cross-flow between institutions and diversity of represented sub-disciplines

Since it is anticipated that at most two CIFellows will be selected from any institution and at most two CIFellows will be hosted by any organization, applicants are encouraged to identify up to three possible mentors at different organizations -- and list them in the preferred order (if any) on the application form. If the application is successful, the award will be for work with a specific mentor. Applications from women and underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged.

We expect to announce awards by July 15, 2011.

Award Administration

Awards will be administered through the Sponsored Projects Offices at the host organizations. CIFellows and their mentors will be required to complete short reports near the end of each funded year.

Additional Information

For further information, please thoroughly review this website, including the list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) linked below. Additional questions may be directed to contact@cifellows.org.

PDF | Selection Committee | Steering Committee | FAQ's

© 2011 Computing Research Association
1828 L STREET, NW SUITE 800, WASHINGTON, DC 20036-4632 Phone: 202-234-2111 | Fax: 202-667-1066 | E-mail: contact @ cifellows.org